Gruden To Play in 2004
May 20, 2003 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Orlando Predators News Release
ORLANDO, Fla. (May 20, 2003) -- Any speculation on what Jay Gruden is going to do in 2004 was put on the back burner today when the former head coach turned quarterback said he intends to play for the Orlando Predators next season.
Gruden, 36, went 10-0 as a starter, completing 60% of his passes and throwing for 2,334 yards and 49 touchdowns. Gruden tossed just two interceptions all season long and his 24.5:1 touchdown to interception ratio was not only a career high but also ranked as the best in league history among quarterbacks with at least 250 attempts. He accomplished those numbers despite missing six and one-half games with a severe ankle injury. Orlando went 2-4 in his absence.
As a starting quarterback for the Tampa Bay Storm, Gruden won four AFL championships in six seasons from 1991-96. He walked away from the game after clinching a second straight title in 1996 to become offensive coordinator for the expansion Nashville Kats. One season later, the Orlando Predators made Gruden the youngest Head Coach in league history at age 30.
Gruden guided the Predators to two ArenaBowl championships and three title game appearances in his first three seasons. He then sent shockwaves through the AFL when he announced at ArenaBowl XV that he was resigning as Head Coach of the Predators to return to the field as a player.
In 2002, Gruden threw for club records for touchdowns (68) and yards (3,621) but injuries and other factors on the team resulted in a 7-7 record. Gruden caught fire in the playoffs, as Orlando recorded wins over Buffalo and New Jersey to advance to the semifinals.
In the off-season, Gruden went to work for his brother Jon as an offensive assistant with the Tampa Bay Bucs â earning his seventh professional football championship ring. He returned to the Predators the week before the first regular season game. Without the benefit of training camp, he guided Orlando to three consecutive wins before hurting his ankle on the first play of the second half against Carolina on Feb. 21.
With Gruden out of the line-up, the Predators struggled â going 2-4 over the next six games and tying a franchise record with four consecutive losses. Gruden returned to the Predators April 11 and Orlando has not lost since.
"Jay Gruden should be the league's Offensive Player of the Year," Orlando Predators President Brett Bouchy said. "We were 2-4 without him and 10-0 with him in the line-up. There's no question in my mind that no one player means more to an organization than Jay means to the Predators. We're extremely excited and relieved that Jay has decided to play at least one more season."
The announcement comes on the heels of speculation that the current season would be the last for Gruden as a player. Gruden had signed a new two-year contract at the beginning of the season, but the injury, combined with various rumors that had Gruden going to the Bucs full-time, seeking another AFL Head Coaching job or possibly becoming a college coach, left his future in doubt. "Right now, I'm having a lot of fun playing," Gruden said. "When you're able to do something you really love for a living, why would you want to do anything else?"
Gruden's decision comes as good news to the Predators' organization that is in the middle of one of its most successful season ticket renewal drives ever. The team announced a promotion last month giving free 2003 home playoff tickets to anyone renewing their season tickets for the 2004 season. To date, the Predators have already renewed more than 67% of their season tickets. "The season ticket drive has been successful beyond our wildest imaginations," Bouchy added. "Hopefully with the announcement of Jay's return for 2004, we can continue to build on that momentum."
With the Predators winning their final six games of the season after Gruden's return, Orlando finished tied with San Jose and Tampa Bay for the best record in the league at 12-4. Seeded third for the playoffs, the Predators received a first round bye and will host a quarterfinal playoff game on Sunday, June 1 against an opponent to be determined this week. The game will kickoff at 3 p.m. and will be televised nationally on NBC. Tickets for the game are priced from $40 to $5 and may be purchased by calling the Predators ticket office at 407-44-PREDS. Playoff tickets are also available at the TD Waterhouse Centre or from any TICKETMASTER outlet.
Arena Football League Stories from May 20, 2003
- Sherdrick Bonner and Randy Gatewood Earn All-AFL First Team Honors - Arizona Rattlers
- Three Storm players named to All-Arena teams - Tampa Bay Storm
- Horsemen sign Craig Yeast - Kentucky Horsemen
- Preds Place Two on All-Arena Team - Orlando Predators
- Gruden To Play in 2004 - Orlando Predators
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